Post bracket

Abstract

A post brackets for supporting a wooden post above the top surface of a concrete foundation and for securing the post to embedded anchors in the concrete foundation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A post bracket for securing a post to a concrete foundation, the post bracket comprising:
 a first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinal member, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including a distal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, post engaging end;   a first lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmember generally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, the length of the first lateral crossmember so dimensioned to space the first and second rigid longitudinal members at a distance approximately equal to the width of a post, the rectangular shaped cross-section so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into wet concrete; and   a second lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positioned proximal to the a first lateral crossmember, the length of the second lateral member being approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured to enable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the post to resist lateral forces.   
     
     
         2 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete. 
     
     
         3 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially engage a bottom of the post. 
     
     
         4 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the second lateral crossmember has a cross-section defining a first portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete, and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to engage with the bottom of the post. 
     
     
         5 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a wooden fence post. 
     
     
         6 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a post having an outer dimension of at least about 3.5 inches by about 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a standard sized wooden post. 
     
     
         8 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members defined a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to pass therethrough and into the post, thereby enabling the post to be secured to the post bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the first and second rigid longitudinal members measures about 20 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The post bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are constructed of a galvanized steel material. 
     
     
         11 . A post bracket for supporting a wooden post above a top surface of a concrete foundation, the post bracket comprising:
 a first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinal member, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including a distal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, wooden post engaging end;   a first lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmember generally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, the length of the first lateral crossmember so dimensioned to space the first and second rigid longitudinal members at a distance approximately equal to the width of a wooden post, the rectangular shaped cross-section so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into wet concrete; and   a second lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positioned proximal to the a first lateral crossmember, the length of the second lateral member being approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured to enable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the wooden post to resist lateral forces.   
     
     
         12 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete. 
     
     
         13 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially engage a bottom of the post. 
     
     
         14 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the second lateral crossmember has a cross-section defining a first portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete, and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to engage with the bottom of the post. 
     
     
         15 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a standard sized wooden fence post. 
     
     
         16 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a wooden post having an outer dimension of at least about 3.5 inches by about 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members defined a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to pass therethrough and into the wooden post, thereby enabling the wooden post to be secured to the post bracket. 
     
     
         18 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the length of the first and second rigid longitudinal members measures about 20 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The post bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are constructed of a galvanized steel material. 
     
     
         20 . A post bracket for securing a post to a concrete foundation, the post bracket comprising:
 a first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinal member constructed of a galvanized steel material, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including a distal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, post engaging end;   a first lateral crossmember constructed of a galvanized steel material positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmember generally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, the length of the first lateral crossmember measuring at least about 3.5 inches, the rectangular shaped cross-section so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into wet concrete; and   a second lateral crossmember constructed of a galvanized steel material positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positioned proximal to the a first lateral crossmember, the length of the second lateral member being approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured to enable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the post to resist lateral forces, wherein each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members defined a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to pass therethrough and into the post, thereby enabling the post to be secured to the post bracket.